Playoff Preview: Milan @ Flat Rock

Milan enters the 2023 playoffs with a 4-5 record after missing the playoffs for the first time in 8 years in 2022. Flat Rock enters the game at 6-3. This is the 2nd consecutive playoff appearance for the Rams, who advanced to the Regional last season.

Milan

Head Coach: Jesse Hoskins

Milan Playoff Record: 20-21

Record vs. 2023 Playoff Teams: 0-4 (L 14-7 vs SMCC, L 49-21 vs Flat Rock, L 42-6 vs Riverview, L 55-13 vs Airport)

Team Leaders

Passing: Billy Gaskell 36-76 554 yards 3 TD’s 2 Ints

Rushing: Billy Gaskell 789 yards 8 TD’s, Lukas Linzell 312 yards 5 TD’s

Receiving: Jaxen Wourman 18 reception 254 yards, Lukas Linzell 9 receptions 181 yards 2 TD’s

Tackles: Billy Gaskell 106, Kam Ackley 76, Gavin Mick 62

Lineman to Watch: Brody Lopez, Elijah Cartwright, Dominic Downer

Notable: The Big Reds Billy Gaskell is a candidate for the FNV Overall Player of the Year, as well as, the Defensive Player of the Year

Flat Rock

Head Coach: Buck Reaume

Flat Rock Playoff Record: 4-4

Record vs. 2023 Playoff Teams: 2-2 (W 33-21 vs Airport, L 36-34 vs Riverview, W 49-21 vs Milan, L 28-17 vs SMCC

Team Leaders

Passing: Graham Junge 129-211 1728 yards 18 TD’s 5 Ints

Rushing: Brian Booms 168 carries 1216 yards 22 TD’s

Receiving: Jacob Pieprzyk 30 receptions 362 yards 3 TD’s, Adam Szalay 25 receptions 416 yards 4 TD’s, Rocco Breslin 22 receptions 248 yards 6 TD’s

Tackles: Brian Booms 97, Jacob Hagen 72, Ben Scully 63

Lineman to Watch: Michael Beaudrie, Drew Booth, RJ Percha

Notable: 7 Rams have caught passes this season, 6 have double-digit receptions.

Overview: While Flat Rock would seemingly be heavily favored, it is never easy to beat a foe twice in one season, certainly not a league opponent with an excellent head coach like Jesse Hoskins. Look for “Downhill Bill” Gaskell and the rest of the Big Reds to give the Rams a game. Flat Rock mustn’t focus on being one-dimensional, the offense needs to be balanced to win this game the way they should.